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Early in my childhood an event occurred that would forever change the way I viewed the world around me. I won't release all the details yet because quite honestly I'm still investigating the incident. Until I know for sure what happened and have some verification, I'm not going to say anything that might turn out to be completely wrong. People have said, "Well, it happened to you, who else would know any better?"To them all I can say is that the only things I remember in full detail are the onset of the incident, and the next thing I remember is being under my aunt and uncle's bar stools screaming in terror at thunder and lightning - the rest I'm still searching for answers to.

This brings me to the topic of this week’s issue, "Why Investigate?" Many people are under the impression that there is nothing to investigate. Often one will hear remarks such as; "If there was anything to these reports, our military would know about it", or "Project Blue Book was closed years ago, and they determined there was nothing to this nonsense!" These, and any similar statements are clearly wrong, and in some cases (as in the case of the Air Forces "conclusion") flat out lies. Due to national security issues in fact it is impossible for them to say anything regarding the truth of ETs and extraterrestrial spacecraft! Anyone who knows how security regarding documents works knows that you can't even reference a document that is cleared "Top Secret" in a document that is only classified as "Secret." No big cover-up there, that's just how security works, and for good reason. Secrets are kept to keep information out of the hands of our enemies.

That is why MUFON has taken the scientific approach to the study of this subject. Evidence that is collected using proper procedures, that is well documented as to the chain of custody, and evaluated under strict laboratory conditions is pretty hard to deny. Witness testimony is also supremely valuable. Debunkers would try to tell you that only kooks and misfits see UFOs or aliens, while the truth is actually the opposite! According to all research done, it is apparent that the higher the education level, the better the quality of the sightings are! If witness testimony is good enough to put people in prison, one would think it would stand up in this case as well.

The public sentiment has certainly changed with time as well. Back in the 60s you just didn't talk about flying saucers or little green men (the prevalent terms back then), and if you did, you would certainly be eating your lunch alone in the cafeteria...I know. The effort to squash any talk on the subject was definitely successful...for a while. I credit the "break-in-the-dam" so to speak with the CBS movie about Betty and Barney Hill "The UFO Incident" based on the book An Interrupted Journey. It was aired in 1975, and certainly started a lot of conversations that weren't heard publicly before then...at least not in such numbers.

Nowadays we are flooded with UFO shows, on such notable networks as The History Channel, A&E, The Science Channel, Discovery...the list goes on. Apparently the subject has gained some credence! With all the cases reported worldwide, it is truly worth wondering why the subject is still treated with ridicule by the media! From what I can tell, the only people still supporting the notion that UFOs and ETs don't exist are the kooks!

In general there are millions of reasons why we need to investigate these otherworldly encounters, from solutions to our energy needs, to ways to better take care of our planet and learning to live in peace with each other. There are many lessons to be learned if we are to grow and eventually join the cosmic neighborhood. As MUFON'S mission statement says, we are dedicated to "the scientific study of UFOs for the benefit of mankind." Is there a better reason?

Thanks for the story , Jeff! Hope to talk to you soon. All the best Steve Fox

Reply

Jeff Krause

7/27/2015 01:12:06 am

Thanks Steve! It was good talking to you the other day. Too bad we missed each other last weekend! Take care, and talk soon.

Reply

Kerri

6/5/2015 01:49:07 am

"According to all research done, it is apparent that the higher the education level, the better the quality of the sightings are!"

Way to invalidate people based on education/class. That statement casts doubt on blue collar workers and others who are not holding a degree from an accredited institution. Thanks a lot.

Yours Truly,

A Misfit among Misfits

P.S. People like you are the reason I never made an official report.

Reply

Earl Grey

6/6/2015 04:26:45 am

I didn't read anything intimidating or mean spirited in Jeff's post. He merely stated a fact. People are generally going to listen a bit more intently to something that turns their worldview upside down, if the person telling them has their facts down. Scientific evidence simply adds to the credibility.

Reply

Jeff Krause

7/27/2015 01:13:08 am

The facts stand Kerri. Too bad you have to look at it that way.

Reply

Earl Grey

6/5/2015 07:40:07 am

Excellent article Jeff!
I find myself talking about UFOs in social situations often, more times than not, the subject comes up, and people Are much more open to taking the subject seriously. There's a Lot of public interest out there, and I do believe it's due to the heightened public awareness of the subject, engendered through shows like 'Hanger 1', 'Ancient Aliens', 'UFO Hunters', et al.

The cosmological implications, the societal, as well as philosophical questions that arise through the subject run deep and ring true to a larger demographic of people than ever before in human history.

That we approach the subject scientifically, and express ourselves intelligently, is paramount in getting the truth 'out there'.

It wasn't all That long ago that the only publications reporting on UFOs were of The National Enquierer's ilk, and those who believe in such things were held in derision.

Thanks to MUFON, this has changed, and those who in the past may have been afraid to share their experiences are finally telling their personal stories.
That there is life beyond earth, and that we may have already been contacted, is one of the greatest revelations of our time. It impacts literally every aspect of what it means to be human, and the wonders that our greater future may hold.
That we know our facts, and approach the subject with scientific evidence, that we present it to others with eloquence, while shunning the questionable, may be the difference between eventual disclosure, or further obfuscation.